joshuatree
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End of line for the Vivo in sight.
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Crossing the T’s: 2027 Volkswagen Tengo
First impressions
Following a tour of the brand’s world-class testing and validation centre, CAR had the opportunity to accompany Volkswagen Group Africa on a test drive of the new Tengo. We sampled two 1.6 MPI examples, one with an automatic transmission paired with an engine in its so-called “dirty fuel” state of tune (distinguishable by a slightly unrefined idle compared with the other setup), and another with a manual transmission and the version of this powertrain that will be sold in South Africa.
With perceived build quality that we’ve come to expect from this German brand, even in pre-production guise, standout features include the car’s impressively compliant default ride quality and what seems likely to be segment-defining NVH suppression, or how well-insulated the cabin feels from the outside world.
Another positive is how familiar the slick workings of the manual transmission feel; comparable with the easy-to-operate setup currently offered in the entry-level T-Cross.
Looking ahead
While Wolfsburg has confirmed the current Polo will be produced “into the next decade”, the freedom afforded to Volkswagen Group Africa to create its own path forward with a viable product plan post Polo Vivo is both refreshing and, indeed, daunting.
Together with the second Brazilian-sourced MQB-based product set to join Tengo on the Kariega line, all indications are that the brand’s South African operation is well placed to fulfil its mandate of relying on local ingenuity and skillset, together with a proven supply chain and assembly processes, to get the job done.
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Crossing the T’s: 2027 Volkswagen Tengo
We visit Plant Kariega for an exclusive insight into the Volkswagen South Africa's new Tengo compact SUV...www.carmag.co.za
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